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Sunday’s Jersey Triathlon is going to be the biggest ever of its kind held in the Island.
Four hundred and fifty athletes – some competing as individuals, others as members of a team – will be taking part in the gruelling swim, bike, run challenge.
There will be a range of distances and age groups.
The Junior class involves a 50 – 300 m swim, a 1.5 -8 km cycle, and a 0.6 – 2.4 km run. The Super Sprint is a 400 m swim, a 10 km cycle, and a 2.5 km run. The Jersey Sprint is a 750 m swim, a 40 km cycle, and a 5 km run. And then there’s the most demanding the Olympic event: a 1500 m swim, a 40 km bike and a 10 km run.
The swimming stages will be in the Marine Lake – the renovated open air swimming pool at West Park Beach in front of Elizabeth Castle. For the Olympic event the athletes will have to do two laps of the 750 m course.
The cycling will be mainly along Victoria Avenue – although for the longer distances the race will take competitors out west, along the Five Mile Road, around Les Landes and back into town through St Peter’s Valley. The Avenue will be closed from 8 am until 2 pm, and the Honorary Police are warning drivers to expect delays.
The run takes the athletes eastwards from the transition area at Les Jardin de la Mare along the breakwater in front of the Radisson Blu, along the Elizabeth Harbour promenade before heading back to the transition area. Those taking part in the Olympic event will have to do four laps.
The different events will start at different times:
08.00 : Junior Triathlon - Tristars Starts
08.30 : Junior Triathlon - Tristars 1
09.00 : Junior Triathlon - Tristars 2
09.15 : Junior Triathlon - Tristars 3
11.00 : Olympic - Phase 1 (Men)
11.02 : Olympic - Phase 2 (Women & Relay Teams)
11.08 : Jersey Sprint (Men & Women)
11.45 : Super Sprint (Men & Women)
The winner of the men’s Olympic event is expected to cross the finishing line at around 12.45pm. Last year’s winner was Jersey Ironman Dan Halksworth in a time of just under 1 hour 57 minutes. The winner of the ladies’ event was another local competitor. Jo Gorrod crossed the line in 2 hours 18 minutes. Both are back on Sunday to defend their crowns.
The event also aims to raise money for charity. Last year’s total was more than £30,000. This year’s charity is the Oscar Maclean Foundation. It raises awareness of childhood cancers and helps young Jersey cancer patients and their families.
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